Century-Old Topiary Marvel Removed from Historic Yorkshire Village
For more than one hundred years, the magnificent topiary creation affectionately known as Cockadoodle stood as a vigilant guardian over the picturesque North Yorkshire village of Bishop Monkton. Also referred to as the Burngarth Cockerel, after the Grade II-listed 18th-century cottage it adorned, this sculpted yew once reached an impressive height of 30 feet. Its fame extended far beyond the village, attracting tourists, school groups, and featuring prominently on postcards that promoted the charming local area.
A Photographic History and Sudden Disappearance
Archival photographs spanning decades, with the earliest documented image dating back to 1910, capture the cockerel in various states of leafy flourish. It remained a constant presence in the garden of Bishop Monkton's most iconic property, a cottage believed to have been constructed around 1720. However, in a controversial decision that has divided this historic community—mentioned in the Domesday Book—Cockadoodle has now been permanently removed.
In its place, a stern-faced stone gargoyle now glares at passers-by. While this replacement might appear as a dismissive gesture to those upset by the felling, it actually represents a thematic connection to the area. The picturesque stream flowing directly in front of the cottage is similarly adorned with gargoyles and other stone effigies.
Village Residents Express Divergent Views
This symbolic replacement has not entirely quelled the discontent simmering within the village. Maggie Wynne, an 84-year-old local resident, expressed the initial collective frustration. "Everyone was really annoyed when it was cut down because it is such a well-known sight in the village," she stated. "It had stood there for over 100 years and featured on postcards and anything depicting the village." She attributed the removal to the owners simply growing tired of it.
Nevertheless, Wynne holds no lasting grudge, noting the new owners' efforts to integrate into community life. Villager Ken Barker, also in his eighties, acknowledged the sadness of losing a landmark present for over 120 years, especially for long-term residents like himself. "But that has to be balanced against the problems it was causing the owners of the home, with roots encroaching on the property and light being blocked. I can completely understand why they did it," he conceded.
His wife, Jennifer Barker, offered a less forgiving perspective. "It should not have been cut down," she insisted. "It was a cornerstone of the village, a focal point and a real landmark."
The Practical Reasons Behind the Decision
The removal occurred in 2024 after Linda Cooper, who purchased the idyllic cottage for £465,000 in 2021, and her partner Dave Molyneux identified significant issues. They discovered the yew's roots were undermining the cottage's foundations, and the dense foliage was severely blocking natural light. Legally classified as a hedge rather than a tree, no planning permission from the parish council was required, though the owners voluntarily sought advice.
Speaking about the decision, Ms. Cooper explained, "The cockerel was so close to the windows that it was actually touching the house and it was making it very dark, so we had to take some action." She emphasized they followed proper channels, consulting the British Topiary Society for expert guidance on removal. Regarding public reaction, she claimed, "We have not had a negative response… a lot of people have told us that it has improved the appearance of the place."
Official Stance and Historical Stewardship
Dean Culshaw, Chairman of Bishop Monkton Parish Council, confirmed the removal did not require official approval. "The owner was quite at liberty to do what he did," he stated, acknowledging the light blockage issue. "I think it's fair to say that people were sad about it… It had been there a long time and was a bit of a landmark." A village map near the hall has since been updated to remove the cockerel's image.
For many years, Cockadoodle was meticulously maintained by previous owner Richard Harper, who, with his wife Tina, bought the property in 2007. In 2016, Harper described spending eleven hours over several days each August pruning the hedge to preserve its shape. Prior to the Harpers, the Wilson family, next-door neighbours for approximately a century, cared for the topiary.
Rodney Wilson believed the yew was first sculpted into a cockerel shape in the 1890s and recalled it being decorated for major events like King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935. A decade ago, he expressed hope it would endure for many more years. When contacted recently about its removal, former owner Tina Harper remained diplomatic, stating, "We have our views but would rather not share them. We've moved on."
The disappearance of Cockadoodle marks the end of a living, green chapter in Bishop Monkton's history, leaving behind a stone sentinel and a community reflecting on the balance between preserving heritage and addressing practical property concerns.
